To close out Autism Awareness Month , the Corridor Chapter of the Autism Society –WV will have it’s 2024 Walk for Autism from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27 at the Clarksburg City Park in Nutter Fort.

 

This will be the 9th walk held by the group.

 

Historically, 200 to 500 people have attended the walk each year. The purpose of the walk is to support families affected by autism, getting family and friends together. The event will feature a DJ, crafts, activities and information on therapies and services available for autism in our area.

 

Many families come as “teams” showing support for their family members with autism.

 

“ We live and support autism every day and hold the walk to support autism families in our community. What we love about this event is that everyone is welcome to attend. We have a number of volunteers helping from the community and the walk is set up to be a fun family event, “ said Lea Robinson, Corridor Chapter president.

 

“A lot of people do not understand autism or what services are available and hopefully this can help to bring understanding in the community,” said Robinson. “We will also have different groups represented with helpful information available.”

 

With the CDC estimating that the current prevalence of autism in the United States at 1 in every 36 births, awareness of this complex disability by the general public is a critical element to enable persons with autism to lead productive and self-sufficient lives. With the increase in individuals being diagnosed with autism, everyone either knows or interacts with individuals with autism.

 

The walk is also a way for autism families to learn about the Corridor Chapter which covers north central West Virginia and what the group offers. There is no entry fee for the walk.

 

“Our chapter is all volunteers. We try to do monthly events for ASD families. All activities are free of to the families. Some of our activities include family education, sensory movies, family swims, bowling, baseball games and an annual swim challenge with the Fairmont State University Swim Team. We try to find activities throughout the year to cover all of the age groups from pre-school to adult. We have about 200 families registered and they pick and choose which activities which activities to participate in.”

 

“In addition to education,” said Lea, “the idea behind the Corridor Chapter is to provide a supportive, accepting environment and activities for families affected by autism. A lot of the things we do together, families may not consider doing by themselves. It helps them expand what they might do and can improve the quality of their family life.”

 

For more information, contact corridorchapterwv@gmail.com or call Carol Giles at 304-377-4917.

 

Editor's Note: Submitted photo from the 2023 Walk for Autism.